Awakening the potential of geotourism

According to the criteria of UNESCO and the global network of geoparks (geoparks), geotourism is considered one of the mandatory requirements for geopark development. For Lang Son province, when embarking on the successful construction of the Lang Son Global Geopark model, developing geotourism will be an inevitable task in the local development strategy aimed at achieving the sustainable development goal.

Geotourism is a type of tourism that provides visitors with information, knowledge and understanding of the geological, geomorphological and geographical characteristics of a location associated with the protection and sustainable development of the environment, heritage, aesthetics and culture of the community... thereby helping visitors understand tangible and intangible values, thereby appreciating and joining hands to protect and preserve scenic spots. The diversity of natural and geological resources is a great potential for expanding geotourism in Lang Son Geopark. Geotourism will create a significant stimulus to contribute to boosting the economy of Lang Son Geopark in particular, Lang Son province in general as well as raising awareness of science and conservation of geological heritage of tourists and local communities.

Rich geological resources

According to research, Lang Son Geopark is divided into 24 geological formations, of which 15 formations were first established in Lang Son province. Tectonic movements from 65 to 23 million years (BC) have contributed to creating diverse geological heritages and landscapes as they are today. In addition, the mountainous terrain in Lang Son Geopark accounts for 80% of the territory. According to incomplete statistics, Lang Son Geopark has a spectacular natural geomorphology and geology, with about 200 caves. In addition, the characteristics of geological and tectonic history and landscape in Lang Son Geopark are formed from 5 typical terrain types: tectonics, erosion, denudation, accumulation and karst (weathering phenomenon of limestone mountains). The landscape value is also expressed in the massive cave system with high density in the Bac Son limestone mountain range. Many interesting caves are the result of underground rivers in the past such as Tham Khoach, Lac, Bat cave and many caves containing valuable archaeological, cultural and historical relics such as Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai cave (Binh Gia), Bat Cave site (Bac Son), Gio cave (Chi Lang), Nhi - Tam Thanh cave (Lang Son city)...  

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Tan Van, former Director of the Institute of Geology and Minerals, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said: The potential of geological heritage in Lang Son is quite rich, shown through the system of numerous and massive caves, great length, in the caves there are many stalactites of many forms, most of which are preserved intact. The system of depressions or valleys between mountains, creating natural lakes halfway up the mountain. This feature is quite different from the landscapes in Cao Bang or Dong Van provinces, Ha Giang provinces...

The above resources are important potentials for developing tourism in the Geopark area such as: cave exploration, sport climbing, paragliding, trekking... Focusing on developing geological tourism will not put pressure on infrastructure investment, but on the contrary, it will help our province have time to systematically re-plan its tourism development strategy, gradually build and expand the potential tourist market, contributing to affirming the brand on the domestic and international tourism map.     

In particular, with the official recognition of the title by UNESCO, Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark has demonstrated its unique geological, geomorphological, cultural and biodiversity elements of international and regional significance for developing geotourism. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Hai, President of Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, said: In Lang Son, geotourism has great potential. Among our training majors, there is geotourism, so in 2024, we coordinated with Lang Son Geopark Management Department to conduct a survey of points in the tourist route of Lang Son Geopark, on that basis, we will build and organize internship programs for students majoring in geotourism to learn about geology, landscape geomorphology, geological heritage and methods of geotourism in Lang Son.

Develop geological tourism step by step

Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of Lang Son Geopark Management Division, Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said: The construction and development of Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark contributes to the socio-economic development goals of the province. In particular, developing geotourism is a new trend and is suitable for many attractive geological potentials of the province, creating connections between social, cultural, educational, transportation, agricultural, environmental fields, etc., which is an effective solution to contribute to economic development in the area.

On September 8, 2024, within the framework of the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in the Asia-Pacific region, the UNESCO Global Geopark Council held a meeting, evaluated and voted to recognize Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Accordingly, since its recognition, the Lang Son Geopark Management Division has actively coordinated with domestic and foreign organizations to study the possibility of cooperation in exploiting the cave system of the Geopark as an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists. Typically, from September 2024 to present, the Lang Son Geopark Management Division and related agencies and units have attended meetings at the Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, promoting cooperation in consulting on the construction and development of Lang Son Geopark; Strengthening international integration and cooperation, participating in activities of the Vietnam Global Geopark Network and the UNESCO Global Geopark Network.

After the working trip, Lang Son Geopark Management Division continued to keep in regular contact with Vietnam Expeditions Company, a member of the American Cave Association, to organize a working trip to Lang Son province, to work and survey a number of caves with potential for tourism development in the Lang Son Geopark area in Bac Son and Huu Lung districts in November 2024. In December 2024, Lang Son Geopark Management Divisioncontinued to coordinate with domestic and foreign units and enterprises to survey a number of caves in Loc Binh and Bac Son districts. During the survey trips, the delegation will select a number of outstanding landscape and cultural points connected to cave tourism sites to record beautiful images and create tourism video clips to serve propaganda and promotion work. Through the survey, the members of the delegation exchanged, discussed, and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages, thereby reaching an agreement and providing orientations as a basis for long-term cooperation, promoting the development of cave tourism in the Lang Son Geopark. Mr. Pham Van Manh, Director of Vietnam Expeditions Joint Stock Company said: We have spent about 2 years surveying the Lang Son Geopark and realized that this place has a lot of potential for developing geological tourism in the caves. The caves in the Lang Son Geopark are very beautiful, still retaining their wild beauty without much impact from humans. We believe that the cooperation between the two sides will create tours and routes of international quality, contributing to increasing the number of domestic visitors, especially international visitors, coming to Lang Son Geopark for sightseeing and experience.

With rich and diverse potential, cave exploration is becoming an important factor in creating the attractiveness of Lang Son tourism, promising a breakthrough development for local tourism. Mr. Khong Hong Minh, Head of the Division of Culture and Information of Huu Lung district, said: Huu Lung district has the characteristics of a limestone mountain area, with a rich geological heritage with many beautiful and majestic caves, interspersed with valleys and steep passes with diverse natural scenery. This is an important potential for developing geological tourism products. Currently, Huu Lung has initially developed sports tourism in Yen Thinh commune. Recently, the survey team of the Lang Son Geopark Management Division has coordinated with a number of units and businesses inside and outside the province to survey a number of new caves to include in experiential tourism routes such as: Water Cave in Yen Thinh commune; Thung mountain, Yen Son commune... In the coming time, we will continue to promote and introduce the typical values ​​of Lang Son Geopark as well as promote new destinations to create highlights and attract more tourists to the area.

Thanks to effective solutions, tourists have had many good impressions of Lang Son Geopark. Mr. Cayrou Guy Pierre Marie, a French tourist, shared: I was extremely excited as soon as I got out of the car because the limestone mountain scenery was so beautiful, I love the life of the rural people here. Recently, this place was also recognized as a global geopark, the tourist attractions all have unique geological heritages, traditional crafts and many typical relics associated with the Mother Goddess worship, the scenery is wonderful, especially, because it was recently recognized, at the present time the locations are not too affected by tourism overload, so the peace here makes me feel extremely comfortable.   

With the right directions and efforts of all levels and sectors in the province; the development of tourism in the Geopark area has achieved positive results. The reputation of Lang Son Geopark is increasingly known to many tourists from near and far.